Jinxed Universe

Being the Scoutmaster for our troop, it is my responsibility to take the Boys out camping and getting comfortable in the outdoors. So, for this weekend I have planned an overnighter up by Causey Reservoir.

Yesterday I handed out equipment lists to the boys. On it I made a statement of no electronics. In my last ward, this was an issue that every boy had an MP3 player they would bring and listen to. They would listen to these all the way up to the campout and during the campout and back from the campout. So, I wanted to nip this is the bud before it became a problem.

Well, apparently these guys want to bring their Nintendo DSs. I told them if they brought them I would confiscate them and would only return them to their parents. Boy, I thought I was going to have an uprising. I have been planning out what we are going to do for quite a while. So, I garantee that if they will just show up, they will have a great time.

Again in my last ward, the YM Pres. kept telling us leaders that all the entertainment of today is to keep the youth individualized or isolated. That these things are creating problems for our youth because when they are face to face with someone, they don't know how to react. Think of it, how many people do you know that are addicted to computer games, their cell phone (namely texting on their phone), MP3 players, etc. These are all getting us used to being self entertained, we don't need others, let alone the need to hold a verbal conversation.

I have seen multiple times first-hand how this game World of Warcraft destroys all social aspects of a person's life. People get into this and begin to live their lives through this fantasy world. Not only that, but they begin to pay real money for virtual belonging. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?

These games are so addictive that players don't eat, don't sleep, they lose track of time. They are all consumed into these games that they begin to lose track of their real life. I personally have done this, to a lesser degree. I have stayed up 'till the wee hours of the morning trying to take over the world or something.

It is bad, these electronics are supposed to help us. In my profession as a Computer Tech. I see the addictive nature of computers. That is why I am glad I have my calling. It gives me the chance to get away from technology and relax.

We need to make sure we are not so dependent on technology for our own entertainment that we can't part from it for even an overnigh stay.